2. Ordinance/regulate vehicle dimensions and weights

SUBJECT: ORDINANCE #2005- (OVER DIMENSION VEHICLE REGULATIONS) PAGE 3 OF 8 ADOPTED DATE: 1-05 Legal weight limitations A. Gross vehicle weight on the Cass County Highway System. The gross vehicle weight of any vehicle or combination of vehicles is determined by the following weight formula of W = 500* ( LN/N-1 + 12N + 36) where W equals maximum weight in pounds carried on any group of two or more axles; L equals distance in feet between the extremes of any group of two or more consecutive axles; and N equals number of axles in the group under consideration except that two consecutive sets of tandem axles may carry a gross load of 34,000 pounds each, providing the overall distance between the first and last axles of the consecutive sets of tandem axles is at least 36 feet. The maximum gross vehicle weight on the county highway system is 105,500 pounds. B. Axle weight on the Cass County Highway System. 1) No single axle shall carry a gross weight in excess of 20,000 pounds. Axles spaced 40 inches or less apart are considered one axle. Axles spaced eight feet apart or over are considered as individual axles. (The gross weight of two individual axles may not exceed 40,000 pounds.) Spacing between axles shall be measured from axle center to axle center. 2) Axles spaced over 40 inches apart and less than eight feet apart shall not carry a gross weight in excess of 17,000 pounds per axle. The gross weight of three or more axles in a grouping may not exceed 48,000. 3) During the spring season or on otherwise posted highways reductions in the above axle weights may be specified. Axle weights may also be reduced by the bridge load limitations posted at individual bridges. C. Wheel weight. The weight in pounds on anyone wheel shall not exceed one-half the allowable axle weight. Dual tires are considered one wheel. D. Tire weight. The weight per inch width of tire shall not exceed 550 pounds. The width of tire for solid tires shall be the rim width; for pneumatic tires, the manufacturer's width. Metric tire sizes are converted to inches by dividing millimeters by 25.4 E. Permits for non-divisible loads. The gross weight limitations do not apply to equipment the commissioners or highway department approve for exemption. For every vehicle approved for exemption, the county highway department shall issue a nontransferable permit. The county highway department or sheriff's department may charge a fee for the permit.